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Mad Rock Safeguard vs Beal Birdie

KYRanger said:
My Safeguard never slips. And it shouldn’t in our static application. I think slippage only occurs when significant fall factor loads are applied.
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Yeah I’ve yet to have it slip the times I’ve tried. I mainly use Canyon when using the safeguard and not SRTing and then use an ATC with Oplux as it’s a bit more fun to me. I’m really always just searching for ways to stay in spec. My apologies for the errant thought on the VT—I guess I could pull on it with my teeth lol.
 
KYRanger said:
My Safeguard never slips. And it shouldn’t in our static application. I think slippage only occurs when significant fall factor loads are applied.
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I used my Safeguard a lot with 8.5mm dynamic climbing rope and it never slipped. I think you're are right about your second point. The slippage would probably only be a couple inches but would reduce the peak load a lot.
 
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valerio024 said:


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That video is sure to bother some folks! I was a bit annoyed at calling it the “Birdie Beal” almost every time. Otherwise it seems much in line with the conventional wisdom with respect to the spring devices.
 
arm breaker said:
That video is sure to bother some folks! I was a bit annoyed at calling it the “Birdie Beal” almost every time. Otherwise it seems much in line with the conventional wisdom with respect to the spring devices.
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Yeah I couldn’t believe I kept doing that when I rewatched it, but I just didn’t want to record it a third time.


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valerio024 said:


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Wow. He has TOO many backups at one point. And I have been called the backup king. One backup is enough at each failure point. His bridge has no backup. If it breaks he is hitting the ground. "A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link", comes to mind.
 
valerio024 said:
Yeah I couldn’t believe I kept doing that when I rewatched it, but I just didn’t want to record it a third time.


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It’s all good buddy, the relevant info was there and lots of folks need to understand the difference in these devices along with the distinctions you made between rappel and belay usages etc.
 
bj139 said:
Wow. He has TOO many backups at one point. And I have been called the backup king. One backup is enough at each failure point. His bridge has no backup. If it breaks he is hitting the ground. "A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link", comes to mind.
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It’s a hard nut to crack for me, as you know. Some things “feel” like they need backups while others do not. I’ve always trusted my bridges but felt like usage of rope clamps always needed something. I also always connect my tether to my linesman’s loop without lots of feeling like I’m overdoing it. I don’t think I’ll ever settle on an arrangement that doesn’t make me think more about it while I’m hanging from it.

Having said all that, I recently purchased a rig and some Teufelberger Platinum and for the first time felt like I really didn’t need anything. Now, I don’t think I’ll hunt with that setup too often. It would be interesting
 
bj139 said:
Wow. He has TOO many backups at one point. And I have been called the backup king. One backup is enough at each failure point. His bridge has no backup. If it breaks he is hitting the ground. "A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link", comes to mind.
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Most rock climbers only have one main connection point as well, I.e. the belay loop. I wanted to show guys various options because most use just a single connection to the rope. These are pretty standard in the climbing world. For example you would never see a climber not connect the hand ascender to their harness and yet no one does it for hunting. The other thing is that when you are publicly publishing information, ie videos, you almost have a responsibility to do it “by the book”.


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valerio024 said:
Most rock climbers only have one main connection point as well, I.e. the belay loop. I wanted to show guys various options because most use just a single connection to the rope. These are pretty standard in the climbing world. For example you would never see a climber not connect the hand ascender to their harness and yet no one does it for hunting. The other thing is that when you are publicly publishing information, ie videos, you almost have a responsibility to do it “by the book”.


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I connect my ascender to my bridge with a sling and have been posting about it on SH for about a year. I also use 2 climbing slings for my bridges.
Most people say I have too many backups but the amount of backups I have seems just about right for me. Everyone is free to choose what feels best for them. If I had 3 backups at a failure point and no backups at a different failure point, I would think about it for while. I used to look at my one thin bridge and get a little worried about failure.
 
There’s actual two different failure points in the video. The Birdie and hand ascender to the bridge and the clove hitch to the lineman’s belt.


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valerio024 said:
There’s actual two different failure points in the video. The Birdie and hand ascender to the bridge and the clove hitch to the lineman’s belt.


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Yes. I realized that later. If your bridge broke you would fall and be caught by one linesman loop. That is a fall I would rather not take. IMHO, it would not be pleasant.
 
I currently have a grigri for 11mm. was trying to lighten up my setup and go to 8mm but it is very hard to find items for that setup. went 9mm and it is in spec to use with the grigri. was look to a mad rock or a birdie but from researching rock climbing forums the grigri is much smother in action than the others. sure it is a little bigger a little more money. but there is nothing worse than feeling slip when repelling in my opinion. I want to feel control.
 
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